Flush control device for toilet flush tank



Feb. 6, 1962 G. ULICNI 3,019,448

FLUSH CONTROL DEVICE FOR TOILET FLUSH TANK Filed Jan. 11, 1961 INVENTOR.

iii/- illtd 3,019,448 FLUSH CONTROL DEVICE FOR TOILET FLUSH TANK GeorgeUlicni, Gary, Ind. (6817 Harrison St., Crown Point, Ind.) Filed Jan. 11,1961, Ser. No. 82,011 7 Claims. (Cl. 4-41) This invention relates toflush control devices for toilet flush tanks and may be described as animprovement over the invention set forth in my application Serial Number52,725, filed August 29, 1960.

As stated therein, the flush tank commonly employed with a toilet bowlis conventionally provided with a discharge valve comprising an outletpipe and astopper ball seated therein. A vertically disposed stem guidedfor axial movement is connected at one end to the stopper ball and theother end thereof is commonly formed with an eyelet for liftingengagement with a link which is connected to a lever and lifted therebywhen said lever is pivotally moved. Said lever is pivoted by means of ahandle outside the flush tank, When this linkage is actuated, thestopper ball is lifted from its seated position in the outlet pipe andthe water in the tank is discharged through the outlet pipe into thetoilet bowl and flushes the waste material through the goose neck ortrap way of the toilet bowl into the sewer pipe. As the water level inthe tank falls, the floating stopper ball is'guided toward'and fallsagainst the seat of the outlet pipe closing said discharge valve andallowing the inlet water to accumulate in the tank preparatory for thenext flushing.

It occasionally happens that the Waste in the toilet bowl will not passthrough its trap way to the sewer pipe and the water will accumulate inthe toilet bowl to an overflow level if the cover of the flushtank isnot quickly removed and the stopper ball manually pushed into the seatof the outlet pipe thereby stopping the How of water from the tank tothe toilet bowl. More often than not, the cover of the flush tank isused as a shelf for jars and other articles used in the toilet room andby the time it is realized that the water will overflow the toilet bowl,it will be too late to remove these articles from the cover and thecover itself before some flooding occurs. In the case with children,flooding occurs fre quently due to the injuclicious use of the toiletbowls and the inability to stop the water to the toilet bowl once theflush has started.

To avoid the above diificulties, various means may be used for stoppingthe flushing action of the tank. In my above pending application, aseparate valve is employed to discharge the inflowing water directlyinto the tank during normal operation or to discharge the inflowingwater into the tank by Way of the ring conduit when it is desired toseat the stopper ball into the discharge pipe to stop the flushingoperation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a single unit flushcontrol device which is more economical to manufacture and which may bemore easily and quickly installed within a flush tank by the ordinaryhouseholder requiring no special tools.

Another object of my improved flush control device is to provide valvemeans within the spray unit which will operate automatically uponmovement of a simple release means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a flush controldevice which operates to prevent further flushing until the valve meansis reset.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a flushcontrol device which operates in such a manner to prevent the stopperball from becoming jammed in its lifted position.

3,819,443 Patented Feb. 6, 1362 the valve means for the outlet tube;

FIGURE 4-is a side elevation of the ring conduit sectioned along line4-74 of FIGURE 3, and shown in operative relationship Lwith. the stopperball; and

FIGURE 5 is a front elevation of the ball release means. Y

Referring now to the drawings, numeral 2 designates a conventional flushtank having a discharge valve 4 including the usualoutlet pipe 6, anoverflowpipe 8 communicating' with said outlet pipe 6 by means of apassage in connector 10 and a stopper ball 12 which when seated in theoutlet pipe 6 closes the discharge valve 4 and when lifted from its seatopens said discharge valve. Said stopper ball 12 is lifted from its seatin the outlet pipe by means of stopper ball rod 14, link 16 and lever 18when handle 20 is manually pivoted. As the water is discharged throughthe outlet pipe 6, float 22 lowers with the water level in tank 2,pivoting connecting arm 24 about is fulcrum 26, opening water inletvalve 28 to replenish the water discharged from the tank during theflushing operation. This is, of course, well known to those skilled inthe art to which this invention portains.

In accordance with the principles of my invention, I provide a conduitor tube 30 connected at one end to the discharge end 32 of water inletvalve 28. The other end of tube 30 terminates in a spray ring 34,

Spray ring 34 is further provided with an outlet tube 36 locatedpreferably within the same quarter sector containing the inlet tube 30.Spray ring 34 contains a ball 38 which is free to roll to the mouth ofthe outlet tube 36 and away therefrom. The bottom wall of spray ring 34adjacent the mouth of the discharge tube 36 is pressed inwardly to forma ramp-like incline 4i). Crimp 42 is provided in the bottom Wall ofspray ring 34 adjacent the mouth of the inlet tube 30. Incline 40 andcrimp 42 contain the ball 38 within that sector of the spray ringbetween the inlet and outlet tube 30 and 36, respectively.

I provide a hole 44 in the top Wall of the spray ring 34 adjacent theoutlet tube 36. Said hole 44 slidably receives the lower end of rod 46.The insertion of rod 46 in said hole 44 is limited by shield 48 whichrests on the top wall of spray ring 34. The top end of rod 46 ispivotally connected to one end of cross-link 50. Said link 50 ispivotally connected to stopper ball guide 52 by means of pin 54. Theother end of cross-link 50 is provided with laterally extending portion56 having an opening 58 therein through which passes stopper ball rod14. The free end of said stopper ball rod 14 terminates in an eyelet 60.Link 16 connects lever 18 by hooking one end thereof into one of severalholes 62 in the end of lever 18. The other end of link 16 terminates inan eyelet 63 which circles the rod 14 immediately below eyelet 60 and byengaging eyelet 60 of rod 14 lifts the stopper ball 12 from its seatedposition and by moving against the laterally extending portion 56 ofcross-link 50, pivots said cross-link 50 on pin 54 to lift rod 46sufificiently to release ball 38 in spray ring 34.

Spray ring 34 is positioned to concentrically receive stopper ball 12when in the lifted position as: shown in FIGURE 4. Holes 64 are locatedin the spray ring 34 so that jets of water through said holes 64 strikethe upper surface of stopper ball 12. The outlet tube 36 is bent so thatthe open end of the outlet tube is directed toward the bottom of tank 2.A hole 66 is provided at the bend in the discharge tube 36 into which isthreadedly connected oneendof refill tube 68. The other end of refilltube 68 empties into overflow pipe 8.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

When the toilet bowl is flushed by manually turning handle 20counterclockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1, lever 18 and link 16 liftstopper ball 12 from its seated position in outlet pipe 6 to the sprayring 34 and remains concentrically positioned in said ring by itsbuoyancy. As the water discharges through the outlet pipe 6, the waterlevel in the tank 2 lowers, lowering therewith float 22 thereby pivotingits connecting arm 24 about fulcrum 26, opening water inlet valve 28which allows the water to flow through outlet 32, tube '30 connectedthereto, through spray ring 34 and discharged into flush tank 2 throughoutlet tube 36. A ortio'n'of the water discharged through outlet tube 36will pass through refill tube 68 into overflow pipe 8. A small amount ofwater may leak from hole 44 in the top wall of "ring '34, however thiswater will be deflected into the tank 2 by shield 48. Also a smallamount of water will spray from holes 64 in ring 34 and Will impingeagainst the top of stopper ball 12 but not with suflicient force toovercome the force of buoyancy and to seat the stopper ball in dischargepipe 6. The spray of this small amount of water through holes 64 willactually have the effect of preventing the stopper ball from jamminginto the spray ring 34. Assuming the flushing operation through thetoilet bowl is accomplished satisfactorily, then as the Water levelfalls below the spray ring 34, the stopper ball 12 floats downwardly toits seated position to close the discharge valve 4 allowing the water intank 2 to accumulate for the succeeding flush. However, if the flushingoperation through the toilet bowl is not accomplished satisfactorily andfor the probable reason that waste material cannot pass the trap waysection of the toilet bowl, and the water in the bowl begins toaccumulate to overflow level, handle 20 is manually turned in theopposite direction from that of a normal flush, that is, clockwise asviewed in FIGURE 1. This movement causes lever 18 to pivot downwardly,moving downwardly therewith link 16. Eyelet 63 of said link 16 will thanabut against the laterally extending portion 56 of cross-link 5t],pivoting said cross-link 50 on pin 54 and causing rod 46 to lift therebyreleasing ball 38 in spray ring 34. The flow of water through said ring34 and outlet tube 36 will cause the ball 38 to seat itself against themouth of outlet tube 36 and thereby prevent further discharge of waterthrough tube 36. The water in said ring '34 will then be jetted throughholes 64 of said ring 34 and strike the top surface of stopper ball 12with suflicient force to seat the stopper ball 12 into the outlet pipe 6and thereby stop the flushing operation of the flush tank 2. The Watercontinues to discharge in flush tank 2 through holes 64 of spray ring 34until the water is replenished therein and float 22 is again raisedclosing inlet valve 28. When handle 20 is released (after the flushingoperation is stopped) cross-link St} is free to pivot in the oppositedirection allowing rod 46 to drop into ring 34 through hole 44 andthereby trap ball 38 on the water outlet side of said rod 46. Thisfeature prevents any further flushing of the tank 2 until the cause ofthe flooding is remedied and rod 46 is again lifted in the manner abovedescribed allowing the ball 38 to roll down ramp incline 40 to the waterinlet side of rod 46 and there be retained by rod 4-6 until againreleased.

While I have shown and described only certain preferred embodiments ofthe invention, it is apparent that modifications may arise. Therefore, Ido not wish to be limited to the disclosure set forth but only by thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a flush tank of the class wherein liquid is discharged therefromthrough a discharge valve when the closure of said valve is lifted fromits seat by a manually movable linkage and wherein liquid is supplied tosaid flush tank through an inlet valve, the combination therewith; of atubular conduit comprising an inlet portion connected to said inletvalve, a curved portion concentrically positioned over said closure,said curved portion having orifices directed to discharge liquid againstsaid closure, an outlet portion for discharging liquid into said tank,and stopper means movable into said outlet portion to stop said liquidfrom discharging through said outlet portion; and means actuated by saidmanually movable linkage for releasably holding said stopper means awayfrom said outlet portion.

2. In a flush tank of the class wherein liquid is discharged therefromthrough a ball and seat valve when the hall of said ball and seatvalveis lifted from said seat by manually movable linkage restrained by guidemeans and wherein liquid is supplied to said flush tank through an inletvalve, the combination therewith; of a tubular conduit comprising aninlet portion connected to said inlet valve, a curved portionconcentrically positioned over said ball, said 'curv'edlportion havingorifices directed to discharge liquid against said ball, an outletportion for discharging liquid into said tank, and stopper means movableinto said outlet portion to stop said liquid from discharging throughsaid outlet portion; and means pivotally supported by said guide means,said means actuated by said manually movable linkage for releasablyholding said stopper means away from said outlet portion.

3. In a flush tank of the class wherein liquid is discharged therefromthrough 'a ball and seat valve when the ball of said ball and seat valveis lifted from said seat by manually movable linkage restrained by guidemeans and wherein liquid is supplied to said flush tank through an inletvalve, the combination therewith; of a tubular conduit comprising aninlet portion connected to said inlet valve, a curved portionconcentrically positioned over said ball, said curved portion havingorifices directed to discharge liquid into said tank, an outlet portionfor discharging liquid into said tank, and stopper means movable intosaid outlet portion to stop said liquid from discharging through saidoutlet portion; and means including a link member pivotally supported onsaid guide means, said link member actuated by said manually movablelinkage, a second link member depending from said first named linkmember for releasably holding said stopper means away from said outletportion.

4. In a flush tank of the classwherein liquid is discharged therefromthrough a ball and seat valve when the ball of said ball and .seat valveis lifted from said seat by manually movable linkage restrained by guidemeans and wherein liquid is supplied to said flush tank through an mletvalve, the combination therewith; of a circular conduit concentricallypositioned over said closure comprlsing, conduit means adapted forconnection to said inlet valve to supply liquid to said circularconduit, said circular conduit having orifices directed to dischargeliquid against said ball, a second conduit means for dischargmg liquidinto said tank, a ball seating surface in said second conduit means, aball in said circular conduit movable against said ball seating surfaceto obstruct said second conduit means and thereby prevent said liquidfrom discharging through said second conduit means, and means includinga link member pivotally supported by said guide means, said link memberactuated by said manually movable linkage, a second link memberdepending from said first named link member, the end of said secondlinkmember inserted through an opening in said circular conduit toreleasably hold said ball away from the ball seating surface in saidsecond conduit means.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said circular conduit isinternally provided with a surface inclining toward said second conduitmeans and a projection adjacent said first conduit means to limit themovement of said ball therein between the first conduit means and saidsecond conduit means.

6. A flush control device for a flush tank wherein liquid is dischargedthrough a discharge valve opened by manually movable link members andliquid is supplied to said flush tank through an inlet valve, comprisinga circular conduit, conduit means adapted for connection to said inletvalve to supply liquid to said circular conduit, said circular conduithaving spaced orifices for spraying liquid therethrough, a secondconduit means for discharging liquid from said circular conduit, stoppermeans movable in said circular conduit to obstruct said second conduitmeans and thereby prevent said liquid from discharging through saidsecond conduit means, and means for releasably holding said stoppermeans away from said second conduit means.

7. A flush control device for a flush tank wherein liquid is dischargedthrough a discharge valve opened by manually movable link members andliquid is supplied to said flush tank through an inlet valve, comprisinga circular conduit, conduit means adapted for connection to said inletvalve to supply liquid to said circular conduit,

said circular conduit having spaced orifices for spraying liquidtherethrough, a second conduit means for discharging liquid from saidcircular conduit, a ball seating surface in said second conduit means, aball in said circular conduit movable against said ball seating surfaceto obstruct said second conduit means and thereby prevent said liquidfrom discharging through said second conduit means, an upset in the wallof said circular conduit forming a restriction to retain said ball, asecond upset in the Wall of said circular conduit forming an incline tosaid second conduit means, said circular conduit having an opening inthe Wall thereof, means for insertion through said hole for releasablyholding said ball between said incline and said restriction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,527,909 Bowers Oct. 3, 1950 2,729,826 Downin Jan. 10, 1956 2,744,262Boyd May 8, 1956

